







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | |
| It's almost 09:30. | |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | |
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | |
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | |
| It's about a web project. | |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | |
| Do you mean Rebecca and Cecilia? | |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | |
| Yep, she was born in Australia, but her mother is Japanese. | |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | |
| He is a Chow Chow. | |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | |
| Do you have any area in mind? | |
| But one of them is £2.44 and the other one is £1.22. | |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | |
| Is that a crack in the bath? | |
| They also have three big windows in their room! | |
| Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | |